Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Infants

Definition

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a series of steps to help a person who is not responding and has stopped breathing. CPR helps deliver oxygen rich blood to the body tissue when the body is not able to do this on its own. Infant CPR should be used in babies less than 12 months of age.

Infant Heart and Lung System

Infant CPR can keep blood flowing to vital organs until professional help arrives.

Possible Complications

What to Do

Prior to Procedure

Check for responsiveness. Tap the infant to check for responsiveness. Call the infant's name if you know it. If the infant is unresponsive, follow these steps:

If someone is with you, have them call for emergency medical services right away and get the automatic external defibrillator (AED). An AED is a device that delivers electric shocks to the infant's heart. If you are alone, do CPR for about 2 minutes before calling for medical help and the AED.

Check to see if the infant is not breathing or only gasping. If this is the case, begin CPR by giving chest compressions:

Place 2 fingers on the center of the chest just below the nipple line.

Compress about 1-½ in (inches) in most infants. Push hard and fast at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute.

Allow the chest to rise completely between compressions.

Minimize interruption between compressions.

Give 30 compressions.

After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths:

Open the airway by gently tilting the head backward.

Cover the infant's nose and mouth with your mouth.

Breathe 2 puffs of air into his mouth and nose. Breathe just until you see the chest rise. Breaths should be about 1 second each.

If you are not trained in CPR, continue doing the chest compressions without giving rescue breaths.

If medical help has not been called, call after 5 cycles of CPR (about 2 minutes). Call even if the infant is responding and is breathing on his own.

Continue cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until the AED is brought to you, medical personnel arrive, or the infant responds.

If another person is present, take turns doing the chest compressions to avoid getting tired. If 2 people are giving CPR, the ratio of chest compressions to breaths is 15 compressions and two breaths.

To use the AED:

Turn the AED on.

Attach the pads. Use the child-sized pads if available.

Follow the prompts. If advised, deliver the shock. If the shock is not advised, the AED will tell you to resume CPR.

How Long Will It Take?

The length of time for CPR depends on the underlying causes and response time of medical help.

Will It Hurt the Infant?

The infant is unconscious when CPR is given. The procedure does not hurt. There may be some soreness in the chest after regaining consciousness.

Post-procedure Care

The emergency team will take over care when they arrive.

The infant will need to be taken to the hospital for evaluation following CPR.

Call for Help

If an infant is unresponsive and someone is with you, have them call for emergency medical services right away. If you are alone, do CPR for about 2 minutes before calling for medical help.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.